Susan Lewis

Susan Lewis

MLegSCi, BSc Hons (OT)

Independent Occupational Therapist and Case Manager

Profile

I am an independent occupational therapist and case manager. I have eighteen years of clinical and managerial experience in delivering high quality rehabilitation. I have worked with clients of all ages from a diverse range of socio-economic, cultural and educational backgrounds, with a vast range of conditions. I am highly skilled at assessing functional capacity and at identifying and addressing the physical, psychological, social and environmental obstacles that impact upon an individual's health and well-being.

Clinical skills/experience

  • Eighteen years of clinical experience assessing and treating clients with a variety of conditions including; musculoskeletal injuries and fractures, upper and lower limb amputations, neurological disorders including stroke and traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, chronic pain and mental health conditions.
  • Experienced in designing and delivering person-centred rehabilitation aimed at return to work.
  • Specialist knowledge and skills in enabling clients to return to maximum levels of independence in daily living activities following illness and injury.
  • Extensive experience of specialised seating and wheelchair assessment and prescription, ergonomic and environmental assessment, modification and adaptation.
  • A qualifying law degree at master's level  - a thorough in-depth knowledge of legal process, the law relating to disability discrimination, equality and human rights, employment, evidence, contracts and the civil law of tort.
  • Experienced at leading and managing large occupational therapy and multi-disciplinary teams.
  • Advanced skills in communication, report writing, time management and prioritisation, motivation and mentoring.
  • Adept at implementing quality measures including risk assessment, CPD programs, audit, research and training to support up to date evidence-based practice.

Career summary:

April 2017 - present
Independent Occupational Therapist and Case Manager - Independence Works

  • Independent occupational therapist and case manager focusing on rehabilitation for clients with complex physical and psychological injuries.
  • I work closely with solicitors and insurance companies, and provide quality personal injury rehabilitation case management.
  • I carry out comprehensive assessments with each client and work with them to identify their own individual rehabilitation goals.
  • I work with them to address any environmental factors that may be limiting their independence.
  • I refer to a range of statutory and private professionals for the appropriate interventions to advance the rehabilitation process.
  • I formulate thorough and succinct rehabilitation reports, and also communicate informally with all parties on a regular basis.

August 2016 - July 2017
Independent Occupational Therapist and Assessment and Liaison Practitioner, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust

  • Coordination of rehabilitation aimed at restoring health, well-being and independence following illness and injury.

July 2009 - May 2016
Intermediate Care Coordinator and Senior Manager, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust

  • Rehabilitation and intermediate care service coordination and management. Leader of a rehabilitation team of over 25 physiotherapists, occupational therapists, rehabilitation assistants, nurses, care assistants and administration staff.
  • Coordination of multidisciplinary assessments and treatment planning to deliver holistic rehabilitation that met person-centred goals.

April 2006 - July 2009
Senior Occupational Therapist, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust

  • OT assessment and rehabilitation planning and delivery (in orthopaedics, general medicine and surgery), to facilitate early hospital discharge.

April 2004 - April 2006
Senior Occupational Therapist, Northern Ireland Regional Cancer Centre, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust

  • Lead in setting up an occupational therapy service for the oncology, haematology and haemophilia out-patient clinic within the Bridgewater Suite of the Northern Ireland Regional Cancer Centre, Belfast.

July 2002 - April 2004

Rotational Basic Grade Occupational Therapist, Belfast City Hospital, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust

  • Occupational therapy assessment and treatment of patients within the areas of amputation and orthopaedics, general medicine and surgery, stroke, mental health, oncology, and brain injury.
  • Wheelchair assessment, functional independence promotion and ambulation training post-amputation.
  • Close liaison with the limb fitting service at the Regional Disability Service, Musgrave Park Hospital Belfast.

Qualifications:

  • Master's in Legal Science, Queen's University, Belfast, 2015
  • BSc Honours in Occupational Therapy, University of Ulster, Jordanstown, 2002

Continuing professional development, including:

  • IW panel training day: Rehabilitation Settings: 'Residential versus non-residential-the Pros and Cons', “A case study - Residential care for lower limb amputee", “Introducing Naked Prosthetics to the UK” - Best Western Manor, Meriden, 23/01/2020
  • Dorset Orthopaedic Catastrophic Injury 'Strive for Better' Conference - Farnborough, Hampshire, June 2018
  • Fatigue Management - OT Special Interest Group - Hands, Musgrave Park Hospital, April 2018
  • Amputation Training Day (Amputation and co-existing medical problems including multiple limb loss), Clarke Wilmott - Bristol, March 2018
  • GDPR 'An Overview'- Tracey Clarke, Virtual Administration - Birmingham, January 2018
  • Best Practice in Record Keeping - Catherine Brown, Skilful Conversation - Birmingham, January 2018.
  • Navigating the ‘mind-field’: Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Event, ABI Solutions, October 2017 (E-learning)
    Information Commissioner’s Office Webinar, August 2107, ‘Data Protection & Information Security now & in the future – an introduction for small organisations in the healthcare sector’
  • Zymplify Webinar, August 2017, ‘Get an insight into GDPR and how it could affect your business’
  • Healthier Business UK Training, August 2017: COSHH, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Fire Safety, Handling Violence, Aggression and Complaints, Health, Safety and Falls Prevention, Infection Control, Information Governance, Record Keeping, Caldicott Protocols, Lone Working, RIDDOR, SOVA and SOCA Level 3
  • Supervision: Guidance on structure and best practice in supervision procedures and styles - Sally Feaver (Professor of Occupational Therapy) and Jenny Butler (Lecturer in Occupational Therapy), July 2017

Registrations and memberships:

  • Health Professions Council (HCPC)
  • British Association of Occupational Therapists (BAOT)
  • Case Management Society UK
  • Royal College of Occupational Therapists Specialist Section – Work
  • Royal College of Occupational Therapists Specialist Section – Independent Practice
  • Royal College of Occupational Therapists Specialist Section - Trauma and Orthopaedics